Search and rescue authorities have found the body of Halit Yukay, founder of Turkey’s Mazu Yachts who went missing earlier in August.
The announcement follows a 19-day search for Halit who went missing after his yacht Graywolf was involved in a collision at sea off the coast of Marmara Island, Turkey.
Halit had departed Yalova bound for Bozcaada on August 4 2025. On August 5, the wreck of Graywolf was discovered with the wreckage identified through serial number checks.
The body was located at a depth of 68m in the Sea of Marmara near the wreck site.
Search and rescue effort
The search and rescue effort was led by the Ministry of Interior, Turkish Coast Guard Command, marine police, gendarmerie, and Coastal Safety Directorate, with assistance from volunteer teams.
Diving teams, helicopters, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), sonar equipment and side-scan sonar were all used in the search.
The Balıkesir Governor’s Office has confirmed a body was detected on August 23 using side-scan sonar and an ROV.
Recovery efforts are being coordinated with the Turkish Naval Forces Command to ensure the remains are handled sensitively.
Evidence of the collision
The captain of the dry cargo ship Arel 7 has been arrested on charges of causing death by negligence.
Evidence of the collision is understood to include scrape marks on the bow of the cargo ship consistent with damage found on the yacht identified through paint sample analysis and photographs showing changes to the vessel’s hull.
Radar records and security footage from Izmit Port of the captain inspecting the damaged bow have also been submitted to authorities.
Owners’ desires and expectations
Halit was passionate about designing better yachts and believed that being able to create the perfect yacht which will fulfill the owners’ desires and expectations, needs cautious dedication and respect to the visions of both owner and the designer.
He founded Mazu Yachts, headquartered in Yalova, in 2011 with a vision to turn customers’ dreams into reality in the knowledge that is being built with precision, integrity and care, from designing process to completion of the vessel.
The shipyard manufactures superyachts and tenders.
Halit was also the founder of Yukay Yacht Design which he began in 2005.
